Hello readers! Another week of Major League Baseball action has finished. The first full month of the season is done, for some teams it meant great joy and for some great horror. As the months get warmer, teams will start to get hotter as they will find their stride on both the mound and at the batters box.
May is usually the month when you start to see some of the bottom of the pack fall back to obscurity while most of the teams will stay within the pack. It also brings the time when the first All-Star Ballots come out and the votes start pouring in.
In this column I'll break down the 30 clubs recap, who got the monthly awards for April and a Final Out recapping the month that was April for the best plays of the month. We're a full month and change into the season and we still have five months left to go, let's get to work!
American League
American League East (2nd Inning):
Baltimore Orioles (5th in AL East; Week Record: 2-3; Overall Record: 12-22; Week Runs Scored: 17):
The Orioles took 1 of 3 (4th game was postponed) against the White Sox and took 1 of 2 (3rd game was also postponed) against the Rays. The offense this week was meager but the pitching and bullpen really got them those two wins this week. This team isn't expected to do much but nice to see at least some wins in Baltimore.
This week: 3 games vs Boston; 3 games vs Los Angeles (AL)
Boston Red Sox (3rd in AL East; Week Record: 6-1; Overall Record: 16-18; Week Runs Scored: 55):
The Red Sox swept the Athletics in 3 games and took 3 of 4 against the White Sox. The Red Sox had been lax so far on the season but certainly this week has changed some heads. When your offense scores a lot of runs in a game and you're a quality pitcher like Eduardo Rodriguez or Chris Sale you have to feel good. Has to be nice to see Chris Sale throwing the ball like he used to.
This week: 3 games @ Baltimore; 3 games vs Seattle
New York Yankees (2nd in AL East; Week Record: 2-3; Overall Record: 19-14; Week Runs Scored: 16):
The Yankees got swept in 2 games against the Diamondbacks and took 2 of 3 against the Twins. New York's offense was a bit off this week as they didn't really get going against a supposedly meager Arizona team and got swept against them. Sure they don't have the necessary people to make a run at the championship yet but you have to play with what you have.
This week: 4 games vs Seattle; 3 games @ Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Rays (1st in AL East; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 21-12; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Rays took 2 of 4 against the Royals and took 1 of 2 (3rd game was postponed as well) against the Orioles. You could see that outside of Glasnow that the Rays starting rotation had a rough week and their offense putting up good run numbers but still to go .500 on the week is a bit troublesome. We will learn a lot about the Rays when they play a weekend series at home against the Yankees.
This week: 3 games vs Arizona; 3 games vs New York (AL)
Toronto Blue Jays (4th in AL East; Week Record: 1-5; Overall Record: 15-18; Week Runs Scored: 16):
The Blue Jays got swept in 3 games against the Angels and took 1 of 3 against the Rangers. The pitching has been good, even holding the Rangers to 0 runs in a 1-0 game on Friday (in 12 innings by the way). It also shows how bad the Blue Jays have been in scoring runs. Both need to coexist well to win ballgames.
This week: 3 games vs Minnesota; 3 games vs Chicago (AL)
American League Central (3rd Inning)
Chicago White Sox (Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 14-17; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The White Sox took 2 of 3 (4th game was postponed) against the Orioles and took 1 of 4 against the Red Sox. Same story for the team on the Southside of Chicago. That 15-2 drubbing by the Red Sox had to be a confidence killer for their pitching staff which has had a rough go of it, still your offense can still put up numbers. Tim Anderson is going to be a stud for a while.
This week: 4 games @ Cleveland; 3 games @ Toronto
Cleveland Indians (2nd in AL Central; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 18-14; Week Runs Scored: 16):
The Indians took 1 of 2 against the Marlins and took 2 of 3 against the Mariners. Offense is still struggling for the Tribe but when you have Brad Hand as your closer getting you saves you have to feel better. Perhaps if you're still in the playoff race come July you could trade your assets to get a complementary bat to help your offense.
This week: 4 games vs Chicago (AL); 3 games @ Oakland
Detroit Tigers (3rd in AL Central; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 15-16; Week Runs Scored: 18):
The Tigers took 1 of 2 against the Phillies and took 2 of 3 against the Royals. Detroit's pitching has come up huge for them as they really need a great pitching staff along with a great closer in Shane Greene (who notched two saves this week) otherwise this team would be last in the division as the offense just doesn't get a lot of runs and sometimes that's enough to give them an edge in a game.
This week: 3 games vs Los Angeles (AL); 4 games @ Minnesota
Kansas City Royals (5th in AL Central; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 12-23; Week Runs Scored: 37):
The Royals took 2 of 4 against the Rays and took 1 of 3 against the Tigers. Somehow in baseball that the Royals offense could outduel the strong pitching of the Rays in 2 of 4 games. You never pictured them to score 15 runs against Detroit's pitching staff in a game. Their offense was good for better part of the week but we're not kidding when they are still rebuilding.
This week: 3 games @ Houston; 3 games vs Philadelphia
Minnesota Twins (1st in AL Central; Week Record: 4-3; Overall Record: 20-12; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Twins took 3 of 4 against the Astros and took 1 of 3 against the Yankees. Minnesota looked pretty good against a great Astros team (other than that 11-0 drubbing but we forget that) and then looked meager against an old bully. The Twins pitching has been good so far this season and their offense has given them chances to win as well. They just ran into a buzzsaw of a Yankees team that has a chip on its shoulder. Should be an easier week for the Twinkies though.
This week: 3 games @ Toronto; 4 games vs Detroit
American League West (4th inning)
Houston Astros (1st in AL West; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 19-14; Week Runs Scored: 39):
The Astros took 1 of 4 against the Twins and took 2 of 2 against the Angels. Houston had an off week this week. Their back end of the rotation took losses as well as Justin Verlander though his start on Monday was a 1-0 loss. The offense has to get some flack this week for their inept to score runs but they did get them during their short series against the Angels at Mexico.
This week: 3 games vs Kansas City; 4 games vs Texas
Los Angeles Angels (4th in AL West; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 15-18; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Angels swept the Blue Jays in 3 games and got swept in 2 games against Astros. It had been a solid week for the Halos on pitching and hitting then reality set back to them when they got their teeth kicked in against the Astros. Ohtani's return will definitely be a day to look forward to.
This week: 3 games @ Detroit; 3 games @ Baltimore
Oakland Athletics (5th in AL West; Week Record: 1-5; Overall Record: 15-21; Week Runs Scored: 28):
The Athletics got swept in 3 games against the Red Sox and took 1 of 3 against the Pirates. It would seem strange that this team was hammering the Red Sox earlier back in April then come unhinged when they travel to Boston. Sure they are hit with injuries to Khris Davis who will miss a few days due to a hip injury but the wheels sure do come off quick.
This week: 3 games vs Cincinnati; 3 games vs Cleveland
Seattle Mariners (2nd in AL West; Week Record: 1-4; Overall Record: 19-17; Week Runs Scored: 20):
The Mariners got swept in 2 games against the Cubs and took 1 of 3 against the Indians. Seattle is 3-7 in their last 10 games. The offense that had gotten them off to such a fast start has been lax and their pitching has given up a lot of runs, including a 11-0 loss on Wednesday. Just proves that slow and steady wins the race and fast and hot won't. Not saying that they can't recover from this but its a long stretch of the schedule and they have to play in some tough series for the next week.
This week: 4 games @ New York (AL); 3 games @ Boston
Texas Rangers (3rd in AL West; Week Record: 2-3; Overall Record: 15-16; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The Rangers got swept in 2 games against the Pirates and took 2 of 3 against the Blue Jays. Things are bigger in Texas, or at least with the Rangers on offense. Joey Gallo and Isiah Finer-Falefa has given the Rangers some hits and RBI's to help their offense and Lance Lynn has been a good starter for them with his 4-2 record on the year. The ERA is still quite a bit high for my liking.
This week: 2 games @ Pittsburgh; 4 games @ Houston
National League
National League East (5th inning)
Atlanta Braves (2nd in NL East; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 18-16; Week Runs Scored: 32):
The Braves took 2 of 4 against the Padres and took 3 of 3 against the Marlins. The pitching stepped up big this week and the offense as well whigh scored a lot of runs in the week. Dansby Swanson and Brian McCann proved a lot of spark to their run production and wins. Still you played against the Marlins who you had to beat and did. Still hoping for the same against some good teams in the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.
This week: 3 games @ Los Angeles (NL); 4 games @ Arizona
Miami Marlins (5th in NL East; Week Record: 1-4; Overall Record: 9-24; Week Runs Scored: 13):
The Marlins took 1 of 2 against the Indians and got swept in 3 games against the Braves. Derek Jeter vented at his frustrations on the team's performance this past week. You can't necessarily blame the guy but you can certainly give him majority of the problem as you practically gave away most of your talent to other teams with very little production in return. This team is going to be bad come the end of the season, just how bad is the question. A projected number of 45 wins is possible, beating the loss record of the 2003 Tigers by a few games. Just sad.
This week: 4 games @ Chicago (NL); 3 games @ New York (NL)
New York Mets (3rd in the NL East; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 16-18; Week Runs Scored: 15):
The Mets took 2 of 4 against the Reds and got swept in 3 games against the Brewers. In a New York minute you can go from looking like a great pitching and solid hitting club to bottoming out. Jason Vargas and Steven Matz got hit with an injury and will miss a week. Last week was such a formality with this team that they just can't score runs.
This week: 3 games @ San Diego; 3 games vs Miami
Philadelphia Phillies (1st in NL East; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 19-14; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The Phillies took 1 of 2 against the Tigers and took 2 of 3 against the Nationals. Bryce Harper has been struggling as of late which shouldn't come to any surprise. Nor should the idea that Philadelphia fans wouldn't boo him, which is to their custom to do. Even their manager has criticised the struggling Harper. Despite the struggles for him Seranthony Dominguez got two wins this week coming in from the bullpen.
This week: 3 games @ St. Louis; 3 games @ Kansas City
Washington Nationals (4th in NL East; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 14-19; Week Runs Scored: 21):
The Nationals took 1 of 4 against the Cardinals and took 1 of 3 against the Phillies. Washington got rid of their pitching coach on Friday which wouldn't come to a surprise as their team's ERA is way too high for the amount of talent that they have. Their bullpen has been pretty bad but it shouldn't be discounted for the fact that Anibal Sanchez has yet to record a victory this year as he is 0-5. Injuries have been plaguing them so far as well. Still, you're not the Miami Marlins.
This week: 3 games @ Milwaukee; 4 games @ Los Angeles (NL)
National League Central (6th inning)
Chicago Cubs (1st in NL Central; Week Record: 5-0; Overall Record: 19-12; Week Runs Scored: 40):
The Cubs swept the Mariners in 2 games and swept the Cardinals in 3 games. Their pitching staff posted 2 shutouts during the week and their offense was great this week. They seemed to have recovered well this week.
This week: 4 games vs Miami; 3 games vs Milwaukee
Cincinnati Reds (5th in NL Central; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 14-20; Week Runs Scored: 34):
The Reds took 2 of 4 against the Mets and 1 of 3 against the Giants. Derek Dietrich is having a great week hitting four home runs and an OPS of 1.020, extraordinary numbers for the player. Their batting average is still awful but man they can score runs and can get guys out with their pitching staff.
This week: 1 game vs San Francisco; 3 games @ Oakland; 3 games @ San Francisco
Milwaukee Brewers (3rd in NL Central; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 20-16; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Brewers took 2 of 4 against the Rockies and swept the Mets in 3 games. The Brewers didn't have Christian Yelich for most of the week but that didn't really stop them this week. After his brief stint with an injury, Yelich still hit a home run. The offense and bullpen formula for winning is still proving to be successful for them as they win. Josh Hader has 9 saves on the year for the Brew Crew.
This week: 3 games vs Washington; 3 games @ Chicago (NL)
Pittsburgh Pirates (4th in NL Central; Week Record: 4-1; Overall Record: 16-15; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Pirates took 2 of 2 against the Rangers and took 2 of 3 against the Athletics. It was a good week for the Buccos as they are back above .500 at the end of the week. They have been hit with injuries to their rotation and position players. Chris Archer, Jacob Stallings and Lonnie Chisenhall have been plagued with injury. They still manage to find ways to win including a walk off win on Sunday. Huge series against St. Louis next weekend.
This week; 2 games vs Texas; 4 games @ St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals (2nd in NL Central; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 20-14; Week Runs Scored: 25):
The Cardinals took 3 of 4 against the Nationals and got swept by the Cubs in 3 games. It was a streak of sorts for the Redbirds. They got a 3 game winning streak and then had a 4 game losing streak. They ran into a tough Cubs team that was playing on momentum and I think their team wasn't prepared for it. Their pitching wasn't great for their games on Saturday and Sunday and their offense couldn't produce runs on Friday. I think they'll be fine but this has to be a wake up call for them.
This week: 3 games vs Philadelphia; 4 games vs Pittsburgh
National League West (7th inning)
Arizona Diamondbacks (2nd in NL West; Week Record: 4-1; Overall Record: 20-13; Week Runs Scored: 32):
The Diamondbacks swept the Yankees in 2 games and took 2 of 3 against the Rockies. It still baffles me how well this offense is putting up numbers as well as they have. David Peralta and Ketel Marte have been stellar for the Diamonbacks both posting 20+ RBI's on the year. I guess they really don't miss Paul Goldschmidt. Greg Holland has 8 saves on the year too.
This week: 3 games @ Tampa Bay; 4 games vs Atlanta
Colorado Rockies (4th in NL West; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 15-19; Week Runs Scored: 37):
The Rockies split a 4 game series against the Brewers and took 1 of 3 against the Diamondbacks. Colorado just hasn't shown any consistency so far on the year. They had a good week last week but now they just seem to revert back to their ineptitude of not hitting well, driving in runs, and getting guys out. Just ugly.
This week: 3 games vs San Francisco; 3 games vs San Diego
Los Angeles Dodgers (1st in NL West; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 22-13; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Dodgers took 1 of 3 against the Giants and took 2 of 3 against the Padres. Cody Bellinger is still putting up numbers for them. Kenley Jansen is getting them saves in close ballgames. They can look stellar in week in and week out then you give the Giants two wins in a series. Still they look good.
This week: 3 games vs Atlanta; 4 games vs Washington
San Diego Padres (3rd in NL West; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 19-16; Week Runs Scored: 34):
The Padres took 2 of 4 against the Braves and took 1 of 3 against the Dodgers. San Diego had an alright week with ups and downs. The Dodgers got to Kirby Yates who had looked unstoppable. The offense was good this week as Hunter Renfroe hit a walk-off home run on Sunday. Still astonishing that this team is supposed to be still rebuilding.
This week: 3 games vs New York; 3 games @ Colorado
San Francisco Giants (5th in NL West; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 15-19; Week Runs Scored: 28):
The Giants took 2 of 3 against the Dodgers and took 2 of 3 against the Reds. Buster Posey showed some flash of his old self on Sunday a three-run home run then got a double and scored on a Brandon Crawford home run. The pitching has kept them in games as well and Will Smith got the Giants 3 saves on the week.
This week: 1 game @ Cincinnati; 3 games @ Colorado; 3 games vs Cincinnati
League Leaders & Notes(8th Inning):
This past Wednesday, Major League Baseball released their monthly awards for batter of the month, pitcher of the month and rookie of the month for both leagues. Your batters of the month were Tim Anderson of the White Sox and Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers (well deserved too). Your pitchers of the month were Tyler Glasnow of the Rays and Luis Castillo of the Reds (no surprises there). Then your Rookies of the Month were Brandon Lowe of the Rays and Pete Alonso of the Mets. Congratulations to all the winners.
In the American League your batting leaders are: Hunter Dozier (Royals) with a .346 batting average, Gary Sanchez (Yankees) with 11 home runs, and Jose Abreu (White Sox) with 32 RBI's. The pitching leaders are Tyler Glasnow (Rays) with 6 wins and a 1.47 ERA, Shane Greene (Tigers) with 13 saves. Tim Anderson (White Sox) dropped down to .336 in batting average and Domingo Santana (Mariners) still has 30 RBI's.
In the National League, your batting leaders are: Cody Bellinger (Dodgers) who has a .415 batting average, 14 home runs, and 38 RBI's. Certainly if the season ended today Bellinger would have the Triple Crown in Batting. The National League's pitching leaders are: Zach Greinke (Diamondbacks) with 5 wins, Luis Castillo (Reds) with 1.45 ERA and Kirby Yates (Padres) with 14 saves.
The Final Out (9th inning):
The month of April has ended, wrapping up the first full month of the season. It has brought some remarkable plays, remarkable home runs, and some drama. We will have to see what May brings forth to all the 30 ballclubs but here'ss a video of the best plays of April. I'll see you guys as usual next week. Enjoy the baseball!
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